Friday, September 30, 2005
Sep 30 Walking on water
When Jesus calls someone to do something for Him it would be best for that person to do it. I remember a time when I was working on a degree in math education. I thought that I liked working with youth and I enjoyed math and that would make me a good math teacher. Then college calculus hit and I knew I was in trouble. I sat down with a good friend who was blunt but honest with me and he expressed his observation of my time with youth. His encouragement was to work on what Jesus had called me to be “a youth pastor (now a jr hi youth pastor).” It took me over 2 mouths after that talk, a lot of praying, and encouragement from my new wife to do what I was called and designed to do. My prayer today is that as I walk on this water the Lord has called me to walk on that I would stay focused on Him and not all that is around me. Peter took his eyes off the Lord, “but when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me! (Matt. 14:30)’” and that is where the trouble be gain for him. Lord my I never take my eyes off of you.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Sep 29 Multiply
The question for the day is “What can you offer to Jesus that He might take and multiply?” (these questions come from a devotional web site at: www.donutholes.biz)
My family and my ministry is what I can and do give to my Lord every day for Him to do what ever He wants. It belongs to Him and He has given me responsibility to be the servant leader to each group. I’m going through a study with the equipping staff called, “Lead Like Jesus” I’ve only begun but it reinforces to me the importance and the necessity to be a servant leader to them and for Jesus. I’m looking forward to hearing, learning, and seeing more of being a servant leader and I pray that will always be a desire of my heart.
My family and my ministry is what I can and do give to my Lord every day for Him to do what ever He wants. It belongs to Him and He has given me responsibility to be the servant leader to each group. I’m going through a study with the equipping staff called, “Lead Like Jesus” I’ve only begun but it reinforces to me the importance and the necessity to be a servant leader to them and for Jesus. I’m looking forward to hearing, learning, and seeing more of being a servant leader and I pray that will always be a desire of my heart.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Sep 28 Soil
Sep 28
Matt: 13: 3-9, 18-23
“How would you describe the condition of your heart?” What a question to ask. To look at these verses I would have to say that I desire to be good soil that God’s word will be placed on and a magnificent crop would be produced. But I want to be cautions because I can so easily get big headed about doing God’s work. Look how many jr hi kids are here Wednesday night, “That lesson you shared Pastor Mark was awesome,” a youth would say, or you lead the sponsor meeting so well. The man that Mark Eades is craves those “pats on the back” but I need to be so careful not to think it has anything to do with me. It has to be about Christ and His love and grace working in others and me. “Keep the main thing the main thing” as Pastor Ray use to say.
Matt: 13: 3-9, 18-23
“How would you describe the condition of your heart?” What a question to ask. To look at these verses I would have to say that I desire to be good soil that God’s word will be placed on and a magnificent crop would be produced. But I want to be cautions because I can so easily get big headed about doing God’s work. Look how many jr hi kids are here Wednesday night, “That lesson you shared Pastor Mark was awesome,” a youth would say, or you lead the sponsor meeting so well. The man that Mark Eades is craves those “pats on the back” but I need to be so careful not to think it has anything to do with me. It has to be about Christ and His love and grace working in others and me. “Keep the main thing the main thing” as Pastor Ray use to say.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Sep 27 Come to me
“Come to me all of you who are heavy laden” a comforting thought and a clear statement from our Lord that He will take care of me. On those days where life is hard, like having to get my three kids up in the morning that can be a heavy burden sometimes. The boys wake up early and my daughter likes to sleep in. That can seem such a choir but then I can find comfort in our Lord even in those simple regular every day events that are so tiring some time. Thank you Lord for being my constant every day comfort.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Sept 26 Love Me Most
The questions for this devotional is: Who is the most important person in your life? How do you know?
The verse is: Matt 10:37-39
My first reaction to this question is Jesus of course. But then I thought of my family, my mom and dad, my brother and sister and their family. Often when I thinking of them I start to cry thinking about what life on this earth for me would be like without them. Then my mind would wonder about the sponsors and the youth I minister with and again I would sometimes cry to think if they wouldn’t grow up solid in their walk with the Lord. Then I think of looking into the eyes of Jesus and wonder what He would say and I almost always cry because I would hope He would say, “well done my good and faithful servant.” And then I would know my first reaction is the correct reaction Jesus is the most important person in my life and I know it.
The verse is: Matt 10:37-39
My first reaction to this question is Jesus of course. But then I thought of my family, my mom and dad, my brother and sister and their family. Often when I thinking of them I start to cry thinking about what life on this earth for me would be like without them. Then my mind would wonder about the sponsors and the youth I minister with and again I would sometimes cry to think if they wouldn’t grow up solid in their walk with the Lord. Then I think of looking into the eyes of Jesus and wonder what He would say and I almost always cry because I would hope He would say, “well done my good and faithful servant.” And then I would know my first reaction is the correct reaction Jesus is the most important person in my life and I know it.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
The start of my devotionals
After having a great talk with my Deep Impact group we have decided to use my blog as a starting point to help with our Quite time. I'm placing with this note all the jornaling I've done up to this point with my quite time. Forgive the miss spellings and incorrect grammer as this is just a jornal of Mark Eades.
Sep 13
Well today starts my journaling with my devos. I’m doing this with the 3rd round Deep Impact group. We are using a web site called: http://www.donutholes.biz/ It’s interesting cause it gives you different options on how to do a devo. Today we looked at Matt. 6:19-21 19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
As I read through this I thought about the idea of what am I’m storing up. We’ve done so much to the house, we have high speed internet access, a game cube, toys running out of our ears, two vehicles, a hot tub, etc. I say that we have these things to give to others to use but a lot of times it just about how much stuff do I have.I know all this stuff is useless compared to what God wants in for us “treasures in heaven.” So I hope and pray that I’m doing the right thing in using this stuff for Him. Help me Lord see what we need to do to celebrate you and not stuff.
9/14/05
Well todays devo verse is a big step on my toes verse. 24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Matt. 6:24. and the question to it: What or who has your greatest devotion?
It really hits me hard since I so much want to please self instead of pleasing Him. My prayer is Lord please forgive me for all the selfish acts I’ve done (interesting that the message I shared with the kids last Sunday was all about forgiveness). Please help me Lord to see where I’m focusing on self and not on you. I can be doing things that are good but are still selfish. What can I do to: throw all the things I do for self away, I don’t think so, but a conscious & active thought process of not focusing on self. Open the eyes of my heart Lord to you pls.
Sep 16, 2005
“Blindspot” “speck” Where are they in my life? Can I be honest enough with myself to answer this hard question? Can I be sensitive enough to the Holy Spirits prompting to know what I need to do? Lord help me, pls!
Sep 17, 2005
Yet again another thought provoking idea: Do I usually think of God as giving me good things, or things I don’t want? My honest answer is I feel that He does both. Except this is only by my perception and I understand that His ways are by far different than any of my ways or observations or experiences. To say God is doing bad things to me can indeed feel like it, to me, but for His plan and purpose it is always good. Help me Lord to understand this perfectly (through your Holy Spirit) so that I might live it.
Sep 20, 2005
Todays devo was on the idea of having a heart like Christ for the lost. Interesting that all afternoon yesterday I got a chance to spend some time with the lost. I had a group of neighbor kids come over to the church and play dodge ball with me. There wasn’t any spiritual things that happen, in fact some of the kids have a very bad mouth. But yet the kids now know there is someone who will play with them, to have fun with them, and I think that will make it possible for the Holy Spirit to work. I hope that I’m available for my part of His work.
Sep 23
The question was asked about what are my feelings when I look at a crowd of friends? Every Sunday and Wednesday I look at a group of jr hi kids (w/sponsors) and wonder what is happening in their lives? Some kids I know but so many I have no idea (I hardly remember their names). I want so much for them to know and understand God’s truth. To hear His love for them in a form that they can digest it. Lord help me come closer to You so I might be closer to them.
Sep 24
Yesterday while I was doing my quite time Lindsey my daughter was doing hers. This is something we have never done in the morning together and it was wonderful. Today’s question was really a challenge to pray for those who can’t do what Lindsey and I did yesterday together. It is so hard to relate as Americans to real persecution. Sometimes I think it would be good for us to not have so many freedoms we have and then I think that would be horrible. My prayer is Lord I do left up those who go through so much on this earth for you, help them in ways they never have been helped before. May they find hope from you not only at tense times but also when there is a calm. I also pray that the Lord would reveal to me what I need to do to help them in any way He would like me to. Open my eyes to see what I need to see to honor you through those who are persecuted.
Sep 25
Matt. 10:28-31
28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny[a]? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
The idea that God loves me so much that even a hair on my head is known by Him just blows me away. I’m truly excited that God is and will be working through me. To have Him know me more than I know myself, wow!!
OK so there it is, I didn't jornal everyday and I doubt I will jornal everyday on this blog but I will do as much as I can. Thanks for reading and I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
Sep 13
Well today starts my journaling with my devos. I’m doing this with the 3rd round Deep Impact group. We are using a web site called: http://www.donutholes.biz/ It’s interesting cause it gives you different options on how to do a devo. Today we looked at Matt. 6:19-21 19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
As I read through this I thought about the idea of what am I’m storing up. We’ve done so much to the house, we have high speed internet access, a game cube, toys running out of our ears, two vehicles, a hot tub, etc. I say that we have these things to give to others to use but a lot of times it just about how much stuff do I have.I know all this stuff is useless compared to what God wants in for us “treasures in heaven.” So I hope and pray that I’m doing the right thing in using this stuff for Him. Help me Lord see what we need to do to celebrate you and not stuff.
9/14/05
Well todays devo verse is a big step on my toes verse. 24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Matt. 6:24. and the question to it: What or who has your greatest devotion?
It really hits me hard since I so much want to please self instead of pleasing Him. My prayer is Lord please forgive me for all the selfish acts I’ve done (interesting that the message I shared with the kids last Sunday was all about forgiveness). Please help me Lord to see where I’m focusing on self and not on you. I can be doing things that are good but are still selfish. What can I do to: throw all the things I do for self away, I don’t think so, but a conscious & active thought process of not focusing on self. Open the eyes of my heart Lord to you pls.
Sep 16, 2005
“Blindspot” “speck” Where are they in my life? Can I be honest enough with myself to answer this hard question? Can I be sensitive enough to the Holy Spirits prompting to know what I need to do? Lord help me, pls!
Sep 17, 2005
Yet again another thought provoking idea: Do I usually think of God as giving me good things, or things I don’t want? My honest answer is I feel that He does both. Except this is only by my perception and I understand that His ways are by far different than any of my ways or observations or experiences. To say God is doing bad things to me can indeed feel like it, to me, but for His plan and purpose it is always good. Help me Lord to understand this perfectly (through your Holy Spirit) so that I might live it.
Sep 20, 2005
Todays devo was on the idea of having a heart like Christ for the lost. Interesting that all afternoon yesterday I got a chance to spend some time with the lost. I had a group of neighbor kids come over to the church and play dodge ball with me. There wasn’t any spiritual things that happen, in fact some of the kids have a very bad mouth. But yet the kids now know there is someone who will play with them, to have fun with them, and I think that will make it possible for the Holy Spirit to work. I hope that I’m available for my part of His work.
Sep 23
The question was asked about what are my feelings when I look at a crowd of friends? Every Sunday and Wednesday I look at a group of jr hi kids (w/sponsors) and wonder what is happening in their lives? Some kids I know but so many I have no idea (I hardly remember their names). I want so much for them to know and understand God’s truth. To hear His love for them in a form that they can digest it. Lord help me come closer to You so I might be closer to them.
Sep 24
Yesterday while I was doing my quite time Lindsey my daughter was doing hers. This is something we have never done in the morning together and it was wonderful. Today’s question was really a challenge to pray for those who can’t do what Lindsey and I did yesterday together. It is so hard to relate as Americans to real persecution. Sometimes I think it would be good for us to not have so many freedoms we have and then I think that would be horrible. My prayer is Lord I do left up those who go through so much on this earth for you, help them in ways they never have been helped before. May they find hope from you not only at tense times but also when there is a calm. I also pray that the Lord would reveal to me what I need to do to help them in any way He would like me to. Open my eyes to see what I need to see to honor you through those who are persecuted.
Sep 25
Matt. 10:28-31
28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny[a]? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
The idea that God loves me so much that even a hair on my head is known by Him just blows me away. I’m truly excited that God is and will be working through me. To have Him know me more than I know myself, wow!!
OK so there it is, I didn't jornal everyday and I doubt I will jornal everyday on this blog but I will do as much as I can. Thanks for reading and I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
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